Elizabeth Wood
Dear friends,
I retired some years ago, but I often get asked to help family and friends with resumes, job applications or interview preparation.
Over a long career in Human Resources, I reviewed thousands of resumes and interviewed hundreds of candidates and have so many stories—such as the candidate who asked me the astrological sign of the person she would be working for so she could determine their compatibility. Or the candidate who told me “I’m really not over-qualified; my resume is just a bit exaggerated.” Marks for honesty?!
I loved my job for the satisfaction I got from matching someone with great skills with a job in which they would flourish. I always ask people who are trying to decide on a career move “When are you most excited to go to work? What do you do best? What part of your job gives you the most energy and satisfaction?” We thrive when we love what we do and are contributing to something that matters to us.
In today’s epistle (Romans 12, 6-13) Paul writes:
“We have gifts according to the grace given to us: prophecy in proportion to faith; ministry in ministering, the teacher in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.”
It goes against our notions of humility to think about our own gifts; we are taught not to be boastful or to “toot our own horns.” But Paul’s message is that there is diversity in the gifts we are given and no one gift is greater than the others. We are called not to trumpet our gifts, but to use them in service of God.
He goes on to write:
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.”
If we apply our gifts in this context, that will ensure we do so humbly. Finally, we are called to apply our gifts with great energy: “do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
In this season of Epiphany, we think about the long journey of the magi, the gifts they brought to Bethlehem, their reverence at the manger.
We should think, too, about the gifts given to us, by grace, and how we bring them to serve with humility and perseverance.
—Elizabeth
